Minakami Tanigawadake and Suijo Onsen Outdoor Course

Minakami, the northern gateway of Gunma, is a nature-rich area blessed with the towering Mount Tanigawa and clear rivers. A ropeway makes highland scenery easy to reach, and hot spring inns dot the riverbanks. This one-day outdoor route lets you enjoy nature and relaxation in a single trip.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Minakami Station Set off from Minakami Station, the areas gateway. Here you transfer to a bus or car toward Mount Tanigawa.

10:00 Ride the Tanigawadake Ropeway The ropeway carries you swiftly up to Tenjindaira. The mountains spreading out below are breathtaking, offering different scenery with each season.

11:00 Walk the highland at Tenjindaira Stroll the wide open highland at the top. The air is crisp and the ridgeline of Mount Tanigawa rises straight ahead.

12:30 Return to the base for lunch Come back down the mountain and enjoy lunch at a restaurant using local ingredients, savoring the bounty of Gunmas mountains.

14:00 Enjoy activities along the river Depending on the season, take a riverside walk or simply soak in the scenery. Minakami is a place where nature feels close at hand.

15:30 Bathe at Suijo Onsen Head to Suijo Onsen along the Tone River. Soak away the fatigue of travel while listening to the murmur of the water.

17:00 Return to Minakami Station Warmed by the bath, close out the day by choosing souvenirs near the station.

Highlights

The greatest sight is the range of Mount Tanigawa seen from the ropeway. The view from Tenjindaira is wonderfully open and highly photogenic. Suijo Onsen stretches along the Tone River, and bathing to the sound of the water is a special pleasure. Enjoying both contact with nature and the comfort of a hot spring in a single day is the charm of this route.

Access and Tips

Minakami Station is reached via the Joetsu Line. The Tanigawadake Ropeway is accessed from the station by bus or car. Temperatures at the summit are lower than in town, so bring a layer to be safe.

A Quick Tip

Mountain weather changes quickly, so rain gear is reassuring to have. The ropeway may adjust its operations by season or weather, so it is best to check before you set out.